Press-stud fastening that can be adjusted on a support layer

ABSTRACT

Known adjustable press-stud fastenings ( 10 ) consist of at least two complementary press-stud parts, namely a male and female part ( 11, 12 ), which can be snapped together for producing a connection. At least one press-stud part ( 11 ) is attached to a support layer ( 19 ) using a connecting piece ( 21 ). The other press-stud part ( 12 ) can likewise be connected to a support layer ( 20 ) using a connecting piece ( 21 ), or can be connected directly thereto ( 20 ). The adjustable press-stud fastening ( 10 ) allows the support layers ( 19, 20 ) to be superimposed, by the connection of the male part ( 11 ) to the female part ( 12 ). Said superimposition can be modified by the adjustable press-stud fastening ( 10 ). The connecting piece ( 21 ) must be capable of adapting to its support layer ( 19 ) in order for the press-stud fastening ( 10 ) to be additionally used for articles of clothing, such as jackets, trousers etc. In addition, the invention aims to provide a simple and secure adjustment of the press-stud fastening ( 10 ). To achieve said aims, the connecting piece ( 21 ) consists of a flexible material, enabling it to follow a deformation of the support layer ( 19 ) and complementary locking means are provided in the connecting piece ( 21 ) and in an indirectly positioned press-stud part ( 11 ), enabling a permanent, secure positioning of the press stud part ( 11 ) onto the connecting part ( 21 ). In addition, said press-stud fastening ( 10 ) should consist of a small number of parts that are simple to produce.

[0001] The invention pertains to a snap fastener for articles of clothing, for example, or for bags, tents, etc., of the type indicated in the introductory clause of claim 1. This fastener comprises the snap fastener parts required for the desired snap-together effect, which have complementary male and female locking surfaces and which are therefore to be called “male part” and “female part” here. The special aspect of this snap fastener is that the parts of the snap fastener are attached by means of a connecting part either to one and the same support layer or to two different support layers. A snap fastener part which is connected indirectly by way of the connecting part to its support layer can be shifted in position with respect to its support layer. When the male part and the female part are snapped together, the associated support layers are connected to each other, but their positions can still be adjusted.

[0002] An adjustable snap fastener is known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,537,810. In this snap fastener, the male part is connected to its support layer by a connecting part. This connecting part consists of a base plate, which has been bent into a complicated shape, in which holes are provided to accept the pin-like end of the male part. The male part itself consists of a bent piece of sheet metal, which has an opening, into which a pressure piece projects. This pressure piece is supported in the male part in such a way that its lower, thinner end can protrude through a lower opening in the male part and be received in one of the holes in the base plate. Before this adjustable snap fastener is closed, that is, before the male and female parts are snapped together, the male part slides freely in the guide of the connecting part. Arresting the male part in the connecting part can be achieved only by snapping the parts of the snap fastener together, which involves the formation of a positive, form-locking connection between the pressure piece of the male part and one of the holes in the connecting part. The only way to change the position of the snap fastener is to release the fastener first. Each time the fastener is opened, however, the male part moves inside the connecting part, which means that its original position is lost and that the hew, desired fastener position can be found only by trial and error. Another disadvantage of this adjustable snap fastener is that it consists of a large number of parts, which are expensive to produce. In addition, the functionality of this known fastener is easily impaired in daily use by dirt or laundering, etc.

[0003] Another adjustable snap fastener is known from German Patent No. 813 384. The disadvantage of this fastener is that the position of the male part with respect to the connecting part cannot be secured. Thus the fastener can shift position at any time, even when this is undesirable.

[0004] Another snap fastener is known from German Patent No. 650 156. In this snap fastener, the female part has several receptacles for a male part. These receptacles in the female part consist of holes arranged lengthwise in a row, which cooperate with the male part. The snap fastener is adjusted by selecting the appropriate hole in the female part. In this known snap fastener, the connecting part is eliminated, because the elongated shape of the female part takes over this function. The disadvantage of this snap fastener is that only a special male part can work together with the female part and that the female part must be bent and stamped, which entails a complicated fabrication process.

[0005] The invention is based on the task of developing a simple and reliable snap fastener of the type indicated in the introductory clause of claim 1, which can be produced easily and cheaply, and the position of which can be adjusted relative to the support layer. This is accomplished according to the invention by the measures cited in the characterizing clause of claim 1, to which the following special meaning attaches:

[0006] According to the invention, the connecting element which serves to attach a male or female part to a support layer can adapt itself to the deformation of this support layer. For this purpose, the connecting part consists of a flexible material. Thus the snap fastener according to the invention can also be used for jackets, pants, etc. This is important precisely in the area of the sleeve or leg seam, because here the support layer must bend around curves with small radii. In the case of the snap fastener according to the invention, furthermore, complementary latching means are provided in the connecting part and in an associated snap fastener part to allow the snap fastener to be positioned permanently and securely on the connecting part. When the snap fastener is opened, therefore, this snap fastener part is prevented from shifting position with respect to the connecting part.

[0007] Additional measures and advantages of the invention can be derived from the subclaims, from the following description, and from the drawings, which illustrate the invention on the basis of two exemplary embodiments:

[0008]FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of the female part of a snap fastener attached to a support layer;

[0009]FIG. 1b shows a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1a of the male part of a snap fastener, which has been attached indirectly by a connecting part to a support layer;

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the connecting part with the male part of FIG. 1b;

[0011]FIG. 3a shows a cross section along line IIIa-IIIa of FIG. 2, crosswise to the connecting part, with the snapped-on male part;

[0012]FIG. 3b shows a cross section along line IIIb-IIIb of FIG. 2, lengthwise through the connecting part, with the snapped-on female part as shown in FIG. 3a;

[0013]FIG. 4 shows a side view of the male part of the previous figures;

[0014]FIG. 5a shows a top view of a pre-bent connecting part according to another exemplary embodiment of the snap fastener;

[0015]FIG. 5b shows a cross section along line Vb-Vb of FIG. 5a, crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the connecting part; and

[0016]FIG. 5c shows a cross section along line Vc-Vc of FIG. 5a through the longitudinal axis of the connecting part.

[0017] The adjustable snap fastener 10 has at least two complementary snap fastener parts, namely, a male part 11 and a female part 12. The two complementary snap fastener parts 11, 12 are snapped together to produce a connection. As a result, the support layer 19 to which the male part 11 is attached can be laid on top of a different support layer or another area of the same support layer 20, to which the female part 12 is attached. So that the position of the snap fastener 10 can be adjusted, at least one of the fastener parts 11, 12 is connected indirectly to its support layer 19, 20 by a connecting part 21. FIG. 1b shows an indirectly attached male part 11. So that the snap fastener 10 can be adjusted, the male part 11 is supported on the connecting part 21 by a closed guide, in which the male part is free to move. As a result, its position relative to the support layer 19 can be adjusted. The connection of the male part 11 to the female part 12 also means that the support layers 19, 20 are joined in such a way that their positions can be adjusted relative to each other. This is illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3 b, where the state in which the two snap fastener parts 11, 12 are snapped together is also to be referred to below as the closed snap fastener 10.

[0018] According to the invention, the connecting part 21 consists of a flexible material, so that it can easily adapt to a deformation of the support layer 19, 20. In addition, complementary latching means are provided in the connecting part 21 and in an indirectly attached snap fastener part 11, 12 to allow the corresponding snap fastener part 11, 12 to be secured permanently in position on the connecting part 21. This permanently secure positioning guarantees at all times that the indirectly attached snap fastener part 11, 12 is held in its position on the connecting part 21 both in the open and in the closed state of the snap fastener 10. The position of the snap fastener 10 can therefore be shifted only by using force (intentionally) to disconnect the latching means or by otherwise releasing them. The adjustability of the snap fastener 10 depends essentially on the design of the complementary latching means, which will be described in greater detail in the following.

[0019] At this point, attention should be drawn explicitly to the design of the closed guide device consisting of the snap fastener part 11, 12 and the connecting part 21. As shown in FIG. 1b, the connecting part 21 is assembled with the snap fastener part 11 to form a closed, straight guide device. Of course, the closed guide device can have any other guide configuration, possibly even a circular one. In the exemplary embodiments of the snap fastener 10 shown, one component of the closed guide device consists of a continuous, elongated slot 22 in the connecting part 21. The other component of the closed guide device is formed by a taper 16 between a lower and an upper flange 14, 15 of the snap fastener part 11, 12, as illustrated in FIG. 4 for the male part 11. Of course, other types of closed guides for the adjustable snap fastener part 11, 12 can also be used. Thus, for example, the snap fastener part 11, 12 can have only one flange in the middle, and the connecting part 21 can have upper and lower convexities, which project into the slot 22 and which positively retain the flange of the snap fastener part 11, 12. The snap fastener part 11, 12 could also enclose the connecting part 21 in a U-shaped or ring-shaped manner and have the ability to slide along it. For this purpose, the connecting part 21 would have to be designed in the form of a rail. The important point here is that the snap fastener part 11, 12 in question would be clamped against the sides of the rail-like connecting part 21. The use of this measure makes it possible to to easily increase the flexibility of the connecting part 21. A connecting part 21 designed in this way would be joined to the support layer 19, 20 by connecting seams, for example, extending down its long sides.

[0020] Recesses 23 are provided in the connecting part 21 to accommodate the lower flange 14 shown in FIG. 4, so that the lower flange 14 does not project out from the connecting part 21 toward-the support layer 19. The cooperation between the recess 23 in the connecting part 21 and the lower flange 14 of a snap part 11 can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3 b. Recesses 23 can also be provided on the visible side of the connecting part 21 for the upper flange 15 of the snap fastener part 11.

[0021] The previously mentioned complementary latching means have the task of permanently securing the position of the attached snap fastener part 11, 12 to the connecting part 21. This prevents any independent, unwanted sliding or shifting of the attached snap fastener part 11, 12. For this purpose, the two parts of the latching means can work with each other in either a positive or nonpositive manner. The positive positioning of the snap fastener part 11, 12 on the connecting part 21 which is present when positively interacting latching means are used has the advantage that the snap fastener part 11, 12 can never shift independently on the connecting part 21. The snap fastener 10 can be shifted only by intentionally forcing or releasing the positive connection between the latching means. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the snap fastener 10 can be adjusted by pulling forcefully on the indirectly attached snap fastener part 11, 12. The positive connection between the complementary latching means can be overcome only by a strong tensile force, which causes a reversible deformation of the latching means of the flexible connecting part 21.

[0022] When a nonpositive method is used to position the snap fastener part 11, 12 on the connecting part 21, as is the case when the latching means act frictionally on each other, it is advantageous that the position of the snap fastener part 11, 12 can be easily changed simply by the direct application of force. As previously mentioned, the complementary parts of the latching means are designed to work together in such a way that the snap fastener part 11, 12 is unable to move independently. This can be achieved, for example, by making sure that the positioning force (clamping force) in effect as a result of the nonpositive latching means is significantly greater than any tensile force which could act unintentionally on the latching means.

[0023] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated first (see FIGS. 1-4), the latching means of the connecting part 21 consist of a series of recesses 24 in the slot 22, which work together with the taper 16 between the upper and lower flanges 14, 15 in the male part 11; this is shown in FIGS. 1b, 3 a, and 3 b. It is also conceivable that the female part 12 could also be connected indirectly by way of a connecting part 21 with freedom of adjustment to a support layer 20. In this case, an additional taper can be provided between the upper part 17 and the lower part 18 of the female part 12 to cooperate with the recesses 24 in the slot 22 of the connecting part 21.

[0024] It is also conceivable that the latching means could consist of projections in the slot 22 of the connecting part 21, which cooperate with concavities in the taper 16 in the male or female part 11, 12. This feature is not shown in the figures, but it certainly represents a usable alternative to the exemplary embodiments shown.

[0025] According to the invention, the latching means mentioned can also consist of a disconnectable arresting device, so that the male or female part 11, 12 can be held in place on and released from the connecting part 21. The position of the attached snap fastener part 11, 12 on the connecting part 21 could then be adjusted only after first releasing this arresting device. This therefore ensures that the snap fastener part 11, 12 is held with absolute reliability on its connecting part 21 and thus on the support layer 19, 20, although it is still possible for the snap fastener part 11, 12 to be moved to other positions on the support layer 19, 20, if desired. To arrive at a releasable arresting device, it would be possible, for example, for the upper flange 15 of the male part 11 to be supported elastically with respect to its lower flange 14, so that the distance between them could change. As the complementary part of the latching means, it would be necessary to deepen the recesses in the visible side of the connecting part 21 provided for the upper flange 15 at the places where a stationary, positive positioning of the snap fastener part 11 is desired. By simply pulling on the head 13 of the snap fastener part 11, therefore, it would be possible to release the positive connection and to adjust the snap fastener part 11 by sliding it to a different fixed position.

[0026] So that the connecting element 21 can be attached to a support layer 19, 20 (e.g., by sewing), areas 25 of thinner material are provided, for example, along the outer edges. These thinner areas 25 make it easier to attach the connecting part 21. It is also conceivable that the flexibility of the connecting part 21 could also be improved by providing thinner areas 25. For this purpose, the thinner areas 25 could be provided in the form of, for example, ribs, arranged transversely to the desired bending direction of the connecting part 21.

[0027] It is advantageous for the connecting part 21 to be attached to the support layer 19, 20 by sewing, by the use of an adhesive, by welding, or by some other suitable joining method. Of course, combination of individual joining methods are also possible. The joining method to be selected will depend on the purpose of the snap fastener 10. For example, in the case of raincoats or tents, which must be water-tight, it would be especially suitable for the connecting part 21 to be welded tightly to its support layer 19. In contrast, it would be conceivable in the case of luggage for the connecting part 21 to be sewed down tight or riveted to the support layer 19, 20 in question for the sake of visual appearance.

[0028] To expand the area of application for the adjustable snap fastener 10, it is proposed that the connecting part 21 consist of a bent shape. A connecting part 21 of this type is shown in FIGS. 5a-5 c. This pre-bent shape is especially suitable for sleeve and leg seams. The curvature shown in FIG. 5c can, of course, also assume a steeper angle. In addition, the curvature does not have to be in the form of an arc; instead, it can also be S-shaped or take some other form. As a result of the pre-bent shape of the connecting part 21, there is no need for the connecting part 21 to be highly flexible.

[0029] For the snap fastener 10 according to the invention, furthermore, it is also possible to use a conventional female or male part 12, 11 for the complementary snap fastener part 11, 12, which is attached indirectly by way of the connecting part 21 to its support layer 20, 19. Thus, the conventional female or male part 12, 11 could be mass-produced, as a result of which production costs could be reduced even more. Only in the case that both the male and the female parts 11, 12 are supported adjustably in indirect fashion by way of connecting parts 21 on their support layers 19, 20 would it be necessary to use corresponding complementary snap fastener parts 12, 11 in accordance with the invention.

[0030] Because, as previously mentioned, conventional snap fastener parts can be used, all of the previously conceivable snap fasteners 10 are available for use according to the invention. For example, female parts 12 could also be used which can be snapped to the movable male part 11 in such a way that the connection can be locked and unlocked.

[0031] Of course, it is also possible, as already mentioned, for both complementary snap fastener parts 11, 12 to be attached indirectly by way of connecting parts 21 to their support layers 19, 20. As a result of this measure, the range over which the snap fastener 10 can be adjusted is increased. If the female part 12 is connected by way of a connecting part 21 to a support layer 20, the connecting part 21 can be located either on the upper, visible side, or on the lower, invisible side of the support layer. The decision depends, of course, on the concrete application of the snap fastener 10.

[0032] As flexible material for the connecting part 21, it is proposed that plastic be used. Through the appropriate choice of the plastic, the properties and the flexibility of the connecting part 21 can be essentially determined. It is also conceivable that the connecting part 21 could consist of a composite material, which combines various positive properties of the individual materials. In addition, it would certainly also be possible to use various metal alloys as the flexible material.

[0033] It remains only to be mentioned that the embodiments listed here are only exemplary realizations of the invention. The invention is not limited to them. It is obvious that the parts and elements of the invention presented can also be applied in other embodiments and combinations with properties similar to those which are described here.

List of Reference Numbers

[0034] 10 snap fastener (snap fastener parts 11 and 12)

[0035] 11 male part

[0036] 12 female part

[0037] 13 head of 11

[0038] 14 lower flange of 11

[0039] 15 upper flange of 11

[0040] 16 taper of 11

[0041] 17 female upper part of 12

[0042] 18 female lower part of 12

[0043] 19 support layer of 11

[0044] 20 support layer of 12

[0045] 21 connecting part

[0046] 22 slot

[0047] 23 openings

[0048] 24 recesses

[0049] 25 area of thinner material 

1. Snap fastener (10), which has at least two complementary snap fastener parts, namely, a male part and a female part (11, 12), which can be snapped together to produce a connection, where the male part (11) is attached to a support layer (19), and the female part (12) is attached either to the same or to a different support layer (20); where at least one snap fastener part (11, 12) is connected indirectly by way of a connecting part (21) to its support layer (19, 20); in that this snap fastener part (11, 12) is supported with freedom of movement on the connecting part (21) by means of a closed guide device, and in that its position with respect to its support layer (19, 20) can be changed; and in that, by snapping the male part (11) and the female part (12) together, the support layers (19, 20) are connected in such a way that their positions can be adjusted, characterized in that the connecting part (21) consists of a flexible material so that it can adapt to deformations of the support layer (19, 20); and in that complementary latching means are provided in the connecting part (21) and in the snap fastener part (11, 12) attached thereto, which latching means make it possible for the snap fastener part (11, 12) to be positioned permanently and securely on the connecting part (21).
 2. Snap fastener (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed guide device consists, first, of a continuous slot (22) in the connecting part (21) and, second, of a taper (16) between a lower and an upper flange (14, 15) in the male or female part (11, 12).
 3. Snap fastener (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that recesses (23) are provided in the connecting part (21) to accommodate the lower or upper flange (14, 15) of a snap fastener part (11, 12).
 4. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the latching means provide for the positive positioning of the snap part (11, 12) on the connecting part (21).
 5. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the latching means provide for a nonpositive positioning of the snap fastener part (11, 12) on the connecting part (21).
 6. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the latching means consist of recesses (24) in the slot (22) of the connecting part (21) and the taper (16) in the male or female part (11, 12), which cooperates with the recesses.
 7. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the latching means consist of projections in the slot (22) of the connecting part (21) and concavities in the taper (16) in the male or female part (11, 12), which cooperate with the projections.
 8. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the latching means consist of a releasable arresting device for holding the male or female part (11, 12) on the connecting part (21) in releasable fashion.
 9. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that areas (25) of thinner material are provided in the connecting part (21) to facilitate attachment to the support layer (19, 20).
 10. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the connecting part (21) can be attached by an adhesive to its support layer (19, 20).
 11. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the connecting part (21) can be attached by welding to its support layer (19, 20).
 12. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the connecting part (21) can be attached by sewing to its support layer (19, 20).
 13. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the connecting part (21) consists of a bent shape.
 14. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-13, characterized in that a conventional female or male part (12, 11) serves as the complementary snap fastener part (11, 12) which is attached indirectly via the connecting part (21) to its support layer (19, 20).
 15. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-13, characterized in that both complementary snap fastener parts (11, 12) are attached indirectly via connecting parts (21) to their support layers (19, 20).
 16. Snap fastener (10) according to one of claims 1-14, characterized in that the connecting part (21) consists of plastic. 